Amid Sydney's bustling energy, Unique Wholefood stands out as a space dedicated to nurturing both the body and the spirit. Today, we celebrate one of our loyal employees, whose commitment to the traditional trade of Temari provides our community with cultural depth and artistic precision.
Support Chihiro: Etsy Shop
Engage with Chihiro: Instagram
Meet Chihiro Kownacki, the Temari artisan.
Chihiro Kownacki, a respected member of our team, practices Temari, a traditional Japanese craft that involves the precise embroidery of thread balls. The term "Temari" combines the words "te" (手), meaning hand, and "mari" (毬), meaning ball, indicating a handmade ball. This time-honored art, once a cherished gift representing friendship and loyalty, is today protected and appreciated by Chihiro's skilled hands, which weave fascinating stories into every colourful sphere.
The Art of Temari
Temari balls are more than just ornamental. They embody precision, creativity, and cultural tradition. Each ball begins with a core, which is usually created from leftover fabrics or threads symbolising resourcefulness and the continuity of life. Chihiro expertly weaves layer after layer of thread around this centre, creating geometric patterns of extraordinary complexity and beauty.
A Connection to Heritage
Temari represents Chihiro's deep connection to her heritage and family. She speaks fondly of her grandmother, who first introduced her to the art. "Every Temari ball I make connects me to my ancestors," Chihiro says. "Through each stitch, I am preserving my family's history and the cultural heritage of my homeland.
The History Of Temari
Temari, known in Japanese as "hand ball" (てまり), is an ancient Japanese folk art form that evolved from kemari, a football/kickball-type game introduced to Japan from China during the Asuka period (538-710 AD). The kemari balls were initially made from deerskin1.
During the Edo period (1603-1867), women in the Japanese royal court transformed kemari into onna mari, which later became known as temari. Onna mari, or "women's balls," were brightly colored and decorated, made for young girls. The creation of onna mari allowed women to perfect and showcase their stitching skills, known as kagari, and often served as a means to gain the favor of their favorite princes. Initially, the crafting of temari was limited to the upper classes, using silk threads. However, with the increased availability of cotton threads, common people also began making temari, leading to the development of unique regional styles1.
Kemari: This ancient Japanese ball game, derived from the Chinese game cuju, involves players cooperating to keep a deerskin ball (mari) in the air using any part of their body except their hands. Kemari was popular during the Heian period (794-1185 AD) and was played at the Imperial Court. The goal is to keep the ball aloft without it touching the ground, emphasizing cooperation over competition. Historically, the kemari ball was made from deerskin, initially stuffed with barley grains to shape it before being sewn together using horsehide2 3 4 5
Temari at Unique Whole Foods
At Unique Wholefood, we value tradition and individuality. On April 27th, we sponsored a "Support Local" event at our Leichhardt location, where Chihiro, along with other craftsmen, health experts, and suppliers, had the opportunity to demonstrate her work to our customers. Her Temari balls, while not yet available in our store, can be ordered upon request, providing a one-of-a-kind and customised connection to this wonderful art form.
Symbols for Harmony and Joy
Chihiro's Temari balls are more than just decorative pieces; they are symbols of harmony, balance, and beauty. Each precisely designed pattern symbolises nature's order and elegance, attributes that are strongly rooted in the Unique Wholefood ethos. These creations elicit reflection and admiration while providing a sense of peace and joy.
An Art to Preserve
In a society dominated by haste and superficiality, Chihiro's Temari balls are a monument to the enduring worth of tradition and the beauty of precise craftsmanship.
Join us in celebrating Temari art and the extraordinary talent of Chihiro Kownacki, whose hands weave not only threads but also stories of tradition, passion, and joy.
Support Chihiro: Etsy Shop
Engage with Chihiro: Instagram
Learn more about how we are proudly supporting everything local at Unique Wholefood. As an organic health food store with outlets in Leichhardt and Crowsnest, we invite you to discover a world of healthful, artisanal treats. Along with Chihiro's excellent Temari balls, you'll find a selection of locally sourced natural foods and health products that pay homage to both the past and the present.
References
1TemariKai. (n.d.). Traditional Japanese Temari. Retrieved from http://www.temarikai.com
2Topend Sports. (n.d.). About Kemari. Retrieved from https://www.topendsports.com/sport/list/kemari.htm
3Imperial Household Agency. (n.d.). Kemari (Ancient football game of the Imperial Court). Retrieved from https://www.kunaicho.go.jp/e-culture/kemari.html
4Traditional Sports. (n.d.). Kemari or Mari Koju (Japan). Retrieved from https://www.traditionalsports.org/news/kemari-ancient-japanese-football.html
5Britannica. (2023). Heian period. Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/event/Heian-period
Japanese Wiki Corpus. (n.d.). Temari Ball. Retrieved from https://www.japanesewiki.com/culture/Temari%20Ball.html
YouGoJapan. (2023). Complete history of Japanese temari balls. Retrieved from https://www.yougojapan.com/japanese-temari-balls
Yoneyama, H. (2022). Conveying the charm and traditions of temari uniquely patterned balls. The Japan News. Retrieved from https://www.japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/culture/art/20220825-53685/